Kyoto Facts & Worksheets

Kyoto was the capital of Japan and the emperor’s palace from 794 to 1868. With a population of 1.5 million and a modern appearance, it is one of the country’s ten largest cities.

See the fact file below for more information on Kyoto, or you can download our 25-page Kyoto worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF KYOTO

• Being the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years, the name Kyoto underwent many changes throughout the centuries. Kyoto means Capital City in its literal meaning. It was also called Heian-kyō, which means Capital of Peace and Tranquility.
• It was named Kyoto after the Meiji Restoration when Japan’s imperial household moved to Tokyo.
• Kyoto was considered the center of Buddhism and traditional Japanese culture and a place to find fine textiles and other Japanese products. 
• One can feel the deep appreciation of the Japanese people for their culture and heritage that Kyoto remarkably represented.
• Many battles and fires have ravaged Kyoto over the years. Yet, because of its unique historical importance, the city was removed from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared demolition during World War II.

GEOGRAPHY

• Kyoto lies in a valley in the Yamashiro (or Kyoto) Basin, on the eastern part of the Tamba mountains. The Yamashiro Basin is flanked on three sides by the Higashiyama, Kitayama, and Nishiyama mountains, which reach a maximum elevation of about 1,000 meters above sea level.
• Because of these internal geographic characteristics, it is scorching during the summer period and very cold during winter.
• The basin has three rivers: the Uji River to the south, the Katsura River to the west, and the Kamo River to the east. Kyoto City occupies 17.9% of the territory in Kyoto Prefecture, covering an area of 827.9 square kilometers (319.7 square miles).
• Kyoto is built on a vast natural water table, providing the city with abundant freshwater wells. Because of widespread urbanization, the amount of rain draining into the table is decreasing, and wells around the region are drying out at an increasing rate.
• The Kamo and Katsura Rivers were the ancient eastern and western limits, which joined the Yodogawa (Yodo River) to the south. However, the allure of the eastern hills prohibited the city from expanding beyond its original western border until after World War II.
• It is best to visit Kyoto during spring and autumn. Summers are hot and humid, and the rainy season (June-July) lasts three to four weeks. Winter brings two or three light snowfalls and a piercing “chilling from below” (sokobie).
• In terms of the cityscape or layout, Kyoto streets’ original grid pattern has been preserved. Shijo-dori, or Fourth Street, is the busiest of the numbered avenues running east and west. Karasuma-dri, which runs north from the Japanese National Railways station, nearly divides the city in half.
• Kyoto has around 2,000 temples and shrines. South of the Kyoto Imperial Palace is the primary business district. Teramachi Street and Shinkyogoku Street are two covered shopping arcades in the city center that are only accessible by foot.
• The original city was designed according to traditional Chinese feng shui, after the model of Chang’an/Luoyang, the ancient Chinese capital. Because the Imperial Palace faces south, Uky (the capital’s right sector) faces west, while Saky (the capital’s left sector) faces east. 
• The streets in the modern-day wards of Kamigyo-ku, Nakagyo-ku, and Shimogyo-ku are still grid-oriented. Some areas outside Kyoto Center follow different grid plans, albeit streets in Kyoto are referred to by name, which is uncommon in the rest of Japan.
• There are numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto. Their grounds and Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nij Castle (Nij-jo) provide Kyto with more green space than most Japanese cities.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

• In the 1870s, the city was separated into two wards, one in the north (Kamigyo-ku) and one in the south (Shimogyo-ku), each serving as a separate administrative entity of Kyoto Prefecture. In 1889, these wards were merged into Kyoto to form the present municipality.
• Kyoto is divided into eleven wards today due to the formation of new administrative districts and multiple municipal mergers between the 1920s and the 1970s. The center wards are tiny and heavily inhabited, lying west of the Kamo River. The city hall is in Nakagyo-ku, while the Kyoto prefectural offices are in modern-day Kamigyo-ku.
• Kyoto was Japan’s most significant metropolis until the late 16th century when Osaka and Edo surpassed its population. Before WWII, Kyoto competed with Kobe and Nagoya for Japan’s fourth or fifth largest city.
• It was the third largest city in 1947, avoiding most wartime destruction. By 1960, it had dropped to fifth; by 1990, it had fallen to seventh. 
• As of January 2022, it was Japan’s ninth most populous city, leading the country to a population decline for two years consecutively.

KYOTO’S ECONOMY

• Kyoto is home to thousands of medium and small businesses, many of which are family owned and operated. Traditional handicrafts are plentiful, and their production for the tourist sector is essential to Kyoto’s economic life.
• Small workshops abound in the city’s center, producing traditional Japanese items such as fans, dolls, Buddhist altar fittings, and lacquer pottery. Due to pollution controls, the once-thriving Kiyomizu pottery kilns have been forced to relocate to nearby Yamashina.
• Kyoto is also the home of information technology and electronics industries. The city is home to where headquarters of Nintendo, SCREEN Holdings, Tose, Hatena, Omron, Kyocera, Shimadzu, Rohm, Horiba, Nidec Corporation, Nichicon, Nissin Electric, and GS Yuasa can be found. 
• Kyoto’s traditional Japanese crafts are also a prominent industry; the city’s kimono weavers are particularly well-known, and the city remains the world’s leading kimono manufacturing hub. Sake brewing is another famous traditional sector in Kyoto, and major sake brewers Gekkeikan and Takara Holdings have their headquarters in Kyoto.
• Various rail transit lines operated by multiple corporations and organizations serve Kyoto. The city’s primary gateway terminal, Kyoto Station, links the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line with five JR West lines, a Kintetsu line, and a municipal subway line.
• The Keihan Electric Railway, the Hankyu Railway, and other rail networks frequently travel inside the city and to surrounding Kinki cities and suburbs. Even though Kyoto does not have an industrial airport, the Haruka Express, operated by JR West, delivers passengers from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station in 73 minutes.
• JR Central operates the Tokaido Shinkansen, a high-speed rail line that connects Kyoto to Nagoya, Yokohama, and Tokyo to the east and adjacent Osaka to the west. Beyond Osaka, many trains departing from Kyoto continue on the Sana’y Shinkansen route, which JR West handles and connects to places such as Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.

KYOTO CULTURE

• During the millennium that Kyto served as the nation’s capital and the imperial family’s residence, it became the preserver of the Japanese “spirit,” as evidenced by the schools of the tea ceremony and flower arranging; the theatrical arts of Noh, Kabuki, and traditional dance; and the masterpieces of calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and architecture found throughout the city.
• Kyoto is also home to several museums, including the Kyoto National Museum (established in 1889), which houses national treasures, the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (1933), and the Kyoto Municipal Traditional Crafts Centre (1976). The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. These include the following:
  • Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo)
  • Kyō-ō-Gokokuji (Tō-ji)
  • Kiyomizu-Dera
  • Daigo-ji, Ninna-ji
  • Saihō-ji (Kokedera)
  • Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji)
  • Nijō Castle

• Kyoto is famous for its delicious Japanese cuisine and delicacies. Kyoto’s unique circumstances as a seaside city resulted in the development of distinctive preserved vegetables (tsukemono). Honke Owariya, Kyoto’s oldest restaurant, was founded in 1465.
• Kyoto’s dialect is known as Ky-kotoba or Kyoto-ben, a constituent dialect of the Kansai dialect. The Kyoto dialect was the standard Japanese until the late Edo era when contemporary standard Japanese superseded it.
• Traditional Kyoto idioms include the courteous copula dosu, the honorific verb ending -haru, and the greeting phrase okoshi-yasu (welcome).
• The three biggest festivals (matsuri) are practically national events: Aoi in May, Gion in July, and Jidai in October. The Jidai-matsuri (“Festival of the Ages”) is a parade showcasing Japan’s entire history in period costumes.
• The Gion-matsuri (Gion Festival) dates from the 9th century and includes more than 30 ornate, meticulously preserved hand-drawn floats, some of which are decked with French Gobelin tapestries imported through Nagasaki during the Tokugawa shogunate.

Kyoto Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Kyoto across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Kyoto. Kyoto was the capital of Japan and the emperor’s palace from 794 to 1868. With a population of 1.5 million and a modern appearance, it is one of the country’s ten largest cities.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Kyoto Facts
2. Vocab
3. Map it Out
4. Kyoto
5. UNESCO Sites
6. Travel Time
7. Kyoto’s Symbol
8. Let’s Visit Kyoto
9. Kyoto Over Time
10. Be a Writer
11. #Off Limits

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kyoto?

Kyoto is a city located in the central part of Japan’s Honshu Island. It is the capital of Kyoto Prefecture and served as the country’s capital for over a thousand years until the imperial court moved to Tokyo in 1868. Kyoto is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, historic temples, traditional wooden houses, and beautiful gardens.

What are some famous tourist attractions in Kyoto?

Kyoto is home to numerous famous tourist attractions. Some of the popular ones include:

1. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): A stunning Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf.
2. Fushimi Inari Taisha: An iconic Shinto shrine known for its thousands of vibrant torii gates.
3. Kiyomizu-dera: A historic temple offering panoramic views of Kyoto.
4. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: A picturesque bamboo forest with walking paths.
5. Gion District: A traditional area known for its preserved wooden machiya houses and geisha culture.
6. Nijo Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring beautiful gardens and historic architecture.

What is the significance of Kyoto in Japanese history?

Kyoto has played a significant role in Japanese history and culture. From 794 to 1868, it served as the capital of Japan, known as Heian-kyo during the Heian period. During this time, Kyoto witnessed the flourishing of classical Japanese culture, including art, literature, and traditional customs. Many of Japan’s historic events, traditions, and institutions have their roots in Kyoto.

How is Kyoto associated with the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement aimed at mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference held in the city. The protocol established binding targets for developed countries to reduce their emissions. The choice of Kyoto as the conference venue reflects the city’s historical significance and its commitment to environmental conservation.

What is the best time to visit Kyoto?

Kyoto has distinct seasons, each offering a unique experience. The best time to visit depends on personal preferences, but generally, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are considered the most popular seasons. Spring brings cherry blossoms, while autumn offers stunning foliage, both creating picturesque landscapes. However, Kyoto can be crowded during these periods. Winters in Kyoto are relatively mild, and some attractions are beautifully covered in snow. Summers can be hot and humid, but they also bring traditional festivals and events. Consider your preferred weather, events, and crowd levels when deciding the best time to visit.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/places/kyoto/">Kyoto Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, June 28, 2023

Link will appear as Kyoto Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 28, 2023